22 Quick and Easy Dessert Recipes Using Pantry Staples

Craving something sweet but staring at an empty fridge? You’re in luck. Quick and easy dessert recipes using pantry staples are the ultimate lifesaver for busy weeknights, surprise guests, or late-night sugar cravings.

These simple sweet treats with basic ingredients rely on everyday heroes—flour, sugar, oats, canned fruits, peanut butter, and chocolate chips—to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Best of all? Most of these easy pantry dessert ideas come together in under 30 minutes, with many being no-bake desserts that skip the oven entirely.

Whether you’re a beginner baker, a parent juggling homework and dinner, or someone who loves 3-ingredient desserts that taste like they took hours, this ultimate guide to easy homemade desserts has you covered.

We’ve packed in 22 last-minute desserts that prove you don’t need fancy tools, rare spices, or a fully stocked kitchen to create bakery-worthy results.

Let’s dive into why pantry staples are the secret weapon behind the best quick sweet recipes, then explore each recipe with step-by-step instructions, ingredient substitutions, and pro tips to help you rank as the dessert hero in your household.

Why Pantry Staples Are Perfect for Quick and Easy Desserts

Your pantry is a goldmine of basic baking ingredients waiting to be transformed.

Items like all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, vanilla extract, rolled oats, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, condensed milk, and chocolate chips form the foundation of countless simple dessert recipes.

These shelf-stable staples have long expiration dates, making them ideal for easy pantry dessert ideas that reduce waste and save money.

Unlike recipes that demand fresh cream, exotic fruits, or specialty chocolates, these quick dessert recipes embrace versatility.

Got almond butter instead of peanut? Use it. No eggs? Many of these are naturally egg-free. The goal: easy homemade desserts that work with what you have—right now.

No-Bake Desserts: Zero Oven, All Flavor

When time is tight and the oven feels like a luxury, no-bake dessert recipes are your best friend. These 5-minute sweet fixes require nothing more than a bowl, a spoon, and a fridge (or freezer).

1. Classic 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Gluten-free, chewy, and ready in 12 minutes

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter  
• 1 cup granulated sugar  
• 1 large egg

Instructions:  

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until a dough forms.  
3. Scoop 1-tablespoon balls, flatten with a fork in a crisscross pattern.  
4. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden. Cool 5 minutes before transferring.

Pro Tip: Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free versions. Add a handful of chocolate chips for easy chocolate peanut butter cookies.

2. Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Bars

Rich, fudgy, and sliceable in 15 minutes

Ingredients:  

• 2 cups quick oats  
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips  
• ½ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)  
• ¼ cup honey or corn syrup

Instructions:  

1. Melt chocolate chips with milk and sweetener in a saucepan over low heat.  
2. Stir in oats until fully coated.  
3. Press into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan. Chill 15 minutes. Slice into bars.

Variation: Add shredded coconut or chopped nuts for texture. This is one of the most popular no-bake oatmeal desserts.

3. Two-Ingredient Condensed Milk Fudge

Silky smooth and dangerously easy

Ingredients:  

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk  
• 2 cups chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white)

Instructions:  

1. Combine both in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth.  
2. Pour into a lined 8×8 pan. Refrigerate 2 hours. Cut into squares.

Flavor Twist: Stir in vanilla extract, sea salt, or crushed peppermint candies for holiday-ready easy fudge recipes.

Microwave Magic: Single-Serve Sweet Treats

For solo snackers or midnight munchers, microwave dessert recipes deliver instant gratification using basic pantry ingredients.

4. Vanilla Mug Cake in 90 Seconds

Fluffy, warm, and perfectly portioned

Ingredients:  

• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour  
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar  
• ¼ tsp baking powder  
• 3 tbsp milk  
• 1 tbsp oil  
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:  

1. Whisk all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug.  
2. Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Let cool 1 minute.

Toppings: Dust with powdered sugar, add a scoop of canned pie filling, or drizzle with melted chocolate for a quick single-serve dessert.

5. Nutella Microwave Brownie

Gooey centered and intensely chocolatey

Ingredients:  

• ¼ cup Nutella  
• 1 egg  
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions:  

1. Mix in a ramekin until smooth.  
2. Microwave 45–60 seconds (center should be slightly soft).

Hack: No Nutella? Melt chocolate chips with a splash of milk for a DIY spread.

Quick Bakes: Oven On, Stress Off

These easy baked desserts use one bowl and pantry staples to create crowd-pleasers in under an hour.

6. One-Bowl Banana Bread

Moist, fragrant, and freezer-friendly

Ingredients:  

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed  
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour  
• ¾ cup sugar  
• 1 egg  
• ⅓ cup melted butter  
• 1 tsp baking soda  
• 1 tsp vanilla  
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:  

1. Mix wet ingredients, then fold in dry.  
2. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 50–60 minutes.

Bonus: Fold in walnuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. This is a top quick bread recipe for using overripe bananas.

7. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips with Fruit Dip

Crispy, sweet, and dippable

Ingredients:  

• Flour tortillas  
• Melted butter  
• Cinnamon + sugar mix  
• Canned pie filling (apple, cherry, or peach)

Instructions:  

1. Brush tortillas with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, cut into wedges.  
2. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until crispy. Serve with warmed pie filling.

Make it fancy: Blend pie filling with cream cheese for a creamy dip.

8. Pantry Blondies (Customizable!)

Chewy, buttery bars with endless mix-ins

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup brown sugar  
• ½ cup melted butter  
• 1 egg  
• 1 tsp vanilla  
• 1 cup flour  
• ½ tsp baking powder  
• 1 cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, nuts, crushed pretzels, etc.)

Instructions:  

1. Stir wet, then dry ingredients. Fold in mix-ins.  
2. Spread in greased 8×8 pan. Bake 20–25 minutes at 350°F.

Flavor Ideas:  

• Peanut butter + chocolate chips  
• White chocolate + dried cranberries  
• Crushed graham crackers + mini marshmallows

Healthy-ish Pantry Desserts (Yes, Really)

Craving sweetness without the guilt? These no-bake healthy desserts use natural sweeteners and whole ingredients.

9. Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites

No sugar added, naturally sweetened

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup rolled oats  
• ½ cup peanut butter  
• ⅓ cup honey  
• ½ cup raisins or chocolate chips  
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:  

1. Mix everything in a bowl.  
2. Roll into 1-inch balls. Chill 30 minutes.

Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks—perfect make-ahead desserts.

10. Baked Cinnamon Apples

Warm, juicy, and under 100 calories

Ingredients:  

• 2 apples, cored  
• 1 tbsp brown sugar  
• ½ tsp cinnamon  
• Optional: raisins, walnuts

Instructions:  

1. Stuff apples with sugar-cinnamon mix.  
2. Microwave 4–5 minutes or bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

Serve with: A dollop of yogurt for a easy fruit dessert.

11. Greek Yogurt Parfait with Pantry Granola

Layered, creamy, and customizable

Ingredients:  

• Greek yogurt  
• Canned peaches or mandarins, drained  
• Homemade granola (oats + honey + oil, baked 15 mins)

Assembly: Layer in a glass. Top with a drizzle of honey.Cookies, Bars, and Crunchy Treats

12. Classic Shortbread Cookies

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth simplicity

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup butter, softened  
• ½ cup powdered sugar  
• 2 cups flour  
• ½ tsp vanilla

Instructions:  

1. Cream butter and sugar. Mix in vanilla and flour.  
2. Roll into a log, chill 30 mins, slice, bake at 325°F for 15–18 mins.

13. Cornflake Peanut Butter Clusters

Salty-sweet, no-bake, and addictive

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup sugar  
• 1 cup corn syrup  
• 1 cup peanut butter  
• 6 cups cornflakes

Instructions:  

1. Boil sugar and syrup for 1 minute. Stir in peanut butter.  
2. Pour over cornflakes. Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool.

14. Rice Krispie Treats with a Twist

Add crushed cookies, M&Ms, or pretzels

Base Recipe:  

• 3 tbsp butter  
• 1 package marshmallows  
• 6 cups puffed rice cereal

Instructions:  

1. Melt butter and marshmallows. Stir in cereal.  
2. Press into pan. Add mix-ins before it sets.

Global Pantry Desserts

15. Indian Coconut Ladoo

5 minutes, 2 ingredients

Ingredients:  

• 2 cups desiccated coconut  
• 1 can condensed milk

Instructions:  

1. Mix over low heat until thick. Cool slightly.  
2. Roll into balls. Optional: roll in more coconut.

16. Australian Anzac Biscuits

Oaty, chewy, and historic

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup oats  
• 1 cup flour  
• 1 cup sugar  
• ¾ cup coconut  
• ½ cup butter  
• 2 tbsp golden syrup (or honey)  
• ½ tsp baking soda + 2 tbsp hot water

Instructions:  

1. Mix dry. Melt butter + syrup. Add soda water. Combine.  
2. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.

Frozen Pantry Treats

17. 2-Ingredient Banana Nice Cream

Dairy-free ice cream in minutes

Ingredients:  

• 3 frozen bananas  
• Splash of milk

Instructions:  

1. Blend frozen bananas until creamy.  
2. Add cocoa, peanut butter, or vanilla for flavor.

18. Yogurt Jam Popsicles

Customizable and kid-approved

Ingredients:  

• 2 cups yogurt  
• ¼ cup jam or honey

Instructions:  

1. Swirl jam into yogurt. Pour into molds. Freeze 4 hours.

Showstopping Last-Minute Desserts

19. Pantry Trifle

Elegant layers, zero skill

Layers:  

• Crushed pantry cookies (any kind)  
• Instant vanilla pudding (made with milk)  
• Canned fruit  
• Whipped topping (or yogurt)

Assembly: Repeat layers in glasses. Chill 10 minutes.

20. Microwave Caramel Popcorn

Sweet, crunchy, and cinema-worthy

Ingredients:  

• ½ cup popcorn kernels  
• ½ cup brown sugar  
• ¼ cup butter  
• 2 tbsp corn syrup

Instructions:  

1. Popcorn. Boil sugar, butter, syrup for 2 minutes.  
2. Pour over popcorn. Toss. Cool slightly.

Bonus Recipes to Round Out Your 22

21. Apple Pie Crumble Bars

Ingredients:  

• 1 can apple pie filling  
• 1 cup oats  
• ¾ cup flour  
• ½ cup brown sugar  
• ½ cup butter

Instructions:  

1. Mix crumble topping. Press half into pan, add filling, top with rest.  
2. Bake 25 minutes at 350°F.

22. Chocolate Chip Pantry Cookies

The ultimate classic

Ingredients:  

• 1 cup butter  
• ¾ cup sugar  
• ¾ cup brown sugar  
• 2 eggs  
• 1 tsp vanilla  
• 2¼ cups flour  
• 1 tsp baking soda  
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:  

1. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.  
2. Mix in dry ingredients and chips.  
3. Bake at 375°F for 9–11 minutes.

Essential Pantry Staples Checklist

Keep these basic pantry ingredients stocked for endless quick and easy dessert recipes:

Category	Must-Haves
Dry Goods	Flour, sugar (white & brown), oats, baking soda, cocoa powder
Sweeteners	Honey, corn syrup, condensed milk
Fats	Butter, peanut butter, oil
Canned/Jarred	Pie filling, pumpkin puree, fruits in syrup
Flavorings	Vanilla extract, cinnamon, chocolate chips
Crunch	Nuts, cereal, crackers, coconut

Final Tips for Dessert Success

• Measure ahead: Pre-portion flour and sugar for lightning-fast assembly.  
• Line everything: Parchment paper = zero cleanup.  
• Freeze extras: Most bars, cookies, and breads freeze beautifully.  
• Get creative: Swap, substitute, and experiment—pantry desserts thrive on flexibility.

With these 22 quick and easy dessert recipes using pantry staples, you’ll never be more than 30 minutes away from something sweet. From no-bake healthy desserts to easy chocolate treats, simple fruit desserts, and crowd-pleasing cookies, your pantry is now your personal bakery.

Bookmark this guide, stock your shelves, and get ready to impress—no grocery run required.

Craving more? Double any recipe and freeze half for make-ahead desserts that taste fresh-baked weeks later.